Remote Control Wall Socket

Adapting for switch use:

This guide explains how to adapt a United Kingdom 'Byron' RC-10 Remote Socket for disability standard switch use. However, this technique follows for almost all remote control sockets.

N.B. Do not exceed a load of 10 amps or 2400 watts per socket. Do NOT use with electric fires, nor large appliances such as washing machines. Flicking complicated devices such as TVs on and off can damage the device. The item is fused, but supervise appropriately.

This adaptation allows disability standard switches to turn up to two electrical items on and off, such as lamps, food mixers, bubble tubes, projectors, kettles, vacuum cleaners, fans and so on.

SAFETY: Adapting equipment voids the manufacturer's guarantee, and the attempt may cause irreparable damage. Always use adapted equipment under supervision, and disconnect any batteries when not in use. These adaptations are at your own risk.

2. Open up the unit:

This is the rear view of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB). The encircled points are the rear contacts of the four micro-switches for A, B, C and D.

If you touch a green point to an orange point with a wire, the green L.E.D. should light, and the power socket should function. These are two points you can solder a socket to.

3. Drill a feeder hole

Unscrew and remove the PCB from the plastic housing.

Drill a small hole where the red circle is. This is where you will pull your socket wires through, so that you can attach them to the rear of the PCB.

4. Drill 2 holes

Drill 2x 1/4" holes as pictured for your switch sockets, making sure that the PCB will still fit once you've added them.

N.B.This is quite a tight fit, so be careful.

5. Wire up the sockets

As not all sockets are connected alike, you will need to find which 2 of the 3 contacts you need to solder to.

Attach a test lamp or multi-meter to any 2 contacts. Plug in your switch, then press it. If the lamp comes on when pressed you have the right connections, otherwise try a different combination. There's only 3 possibilities.

Solder two 6cm lengths of wire to the socket. Use shrink wrap to insulate your soldering if you wish.

6. Connect to the PCB

Ensure that the sockets are not touching the PCB as this can cause a short. Either put some tape on the PCB or bend the socket arm out of the way.

Solder the wires to the sockets as pictured.

7. Full Test

Test the unit with a switch several times, then leave it alone for a few minutes. If it activates by it's self repeatedly, there's probably a short circuit. Pull it apart again, and examine the accuracy of your soldering carefully, especially on the socket.

If the green LED is continually on, you have a short somewhere. Ensure that the sockets are not touching the PCB by using insulating tape. Make sure that buttons aren't being pressed by a trapped wire.

I Want More Power!

The theoretical limit with Byron controllers is 8 sockets, using 2 remote controllers.

As there is not enough room in the remote control for any more than 2 sockets, you will have to be creative in getting around this. One solution is to put the four sockets where the battery goes, then find someway of housing the battery externally. Another would be to bring two dangling sockets out of the case, with a sleeved socket on a wire. Best of luck!